Pursuit of Jade: C-Drama Breaks Records & Trends Globally | Zhang Ling He & Tian Xi Wei
The Chinese historical drama Pursuit of Jade is rapidly becoming a cultural phenomenon, achieving viewership and market share numbers typically reserved for the most successful series in the country. Starring Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei, the drama has already broken records for Tencent Video, signaling a potential shift in the landscape of C-drama popularity.
According to Yunhe Data, Pursuit of Jade captured a 50.9% market share on the long-form drama popularity chart on , exceeding 100 million views in a single day. This marks the first time in 2026 that a drama has surpassed both milestones. The series also became the first of the year to break the 30% market share barrier.
The success of Pursuit of Jade places it in esteemed company, alongside other high-performing dramas like The Knockout, Joy of Life Season 2, This Thriving Land, My Heroic Husband, Love’s Ambition, and Legend of Zang Hai – all series that have previously achieved over 40% market share in China. This level of performance suggests Pursuit of Jade isn’t just a flash in the pan, but a genuinely resonant series with broad appeal.
The drama’s ascent has been swift. Just six days after its premiere on , its popularity index on iQiyi exceeded 10,000, and quickly climbed to 30,000 on Tencent Video. By , the index had surpassed 31,000, setting a new record for the highest popularity index among dramas premiered on Tencent Video in 2026.
The reach of Pursuit of Jade extends beyond mainland China. WeTV (Tencent Video) reported that the drama is currently trending on the platform in Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Portugal, and Spanish-speaking markets. FlixPatrol data also indicates the series is gaining traction on Netflix across several Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Pursuit of Jade centers on the story of Fan Chang Yu, played by Tian Xi Wei, a butcher’s daughter, and Xie Zheng, portrayed by Zhang Ling He, a fallen noble. Their paths cross on a snowy day, leading to a marriage of convenience born from necessity and hidden motives. The narrative explores how their initial pragmatic alliance evolves into something more genuine as they navigate personal struggles and a shared past. Chang Yu is grappling with supporting her family after the loss of her parents, whereas Zheng is concealing his identity and investigating a long-held blood feud dating back 17 years.
The drama is currently available for streaming on Netflix, WeTV, iQIYI, and iflix, providing a wide range of access points for international audiences. The rapid growth in viewership and positive reception suggest Pursuit of Jade is poised to grow one of the defining C-dramas of 2026, and a significant export for the Chinese television industry. The series’ success highlights the increasing global appetite for well-produced, compelling historical dramas, and positions Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei as rising stars to watch.
The impressive numbers aren’t simply about viewership. they represent a significant investment in production quality and storytelling that is resonating with audiences both domestically and abroad. The combination of a compelling narrative, strong performances, and effective international distribution has clearly paid off, establishing Pursuit of Jade as a major player in the competitive world of streaming entertainment.